Applying Technology to Visually Support Language and Communication in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 42; no. 6; pp. 1228 - 1235
• Main Authors: Shane, Howard C., Laubscher, Emily H., Schlosser, Ralf W., Flynn, Suzanne, Sorce, James F., Abramson, Jennifer
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01-06-2012; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adoption; Assistive Technology; Augmentative and Alternative Communication; Autism; Autistic spectrum disorders; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child and School Psychology; Child clinical studies; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive - rehabilitation; Communication; Communication Aids for Disabled; Communication Skills; Computer industry; Computer software industry; Developmental disorders; Educational Technology; Handheld Devices; Humans; Infantile autism; Information services; Information services industry; Language; Language Skills; Mass media; Medical sciences; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Neurosciences; Original Paper; Pediatrics; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Public Health; Technology; Total Communication; United States; Applying technology; Computer based instruction; Autism; Pervasive developmental disorder; Language; Vision; Perception; Computer assisted teaching; Developmental disorder; Computer aid; Communication
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-011-1304-z

The burgeoning role of technology in society has provided opportunities for the development of new means of communication for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This paper offers an organizational framework for describing traditional and emerging augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology, and highlights how tools within this framework can support a visual approach to everyday communication and improve language instruction. The growing adoption of handheld media devices along with applications acquired via a consumer-oriented delivery model suggests a potential paradigm shift in AAC for people with ASD.